How to Perform a Monthly Checkup on Your Car

The days of the full service gas station are gone, and modern cars can go 30,000 miles or more without a tune-up - so it's up to you to check under the hood periodically. This simple monthly check will alert you to potential problems that can be dealt with before you get stranded or end up paying for expensive repairs. The following steps in this monthly checklist are detailed in subsequent eHows.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fan Belts
• Power Steering Fluid
• Hose Clamps
• Motor Oil
• Washer Fluids
• Motor Oil
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Brake Fluids
• Engine Coolants

1. Check the oil. Add oil if necessary.

2. Check the coolant level. Add antifreeze and water if necessary.

3. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid if necessary.

4. Check the power steering fluid level (if applicable to your car). Add if necessary.

5. Check the clutch reservoir (if applicable to your car). Add brake fluid if low.

6. Check the automatic transmission fluid (if applicable to your car). Add ATF if low.

7. Check the windshield washer fluid reservoir. Fill as needed.

8. Check the belts for cracks, age and proper tension.

9. Check the hoses for leakage, cracks or other signs of age.

10. Visually inspect the engine for any leaks.

11. Look under the car for any indication of leaks from the engine.

12. Check the tire pressure on all the tires, including the spare.

13. Visually inspect the tires for uneven wear, or nails or other sharp objects lodged in the tread.

14. Check the dash lights for proper operation.

15. Start the engine and listen with the hood up (after doing this a few times you will learn what sounds "normal" for your car).

Tips & Warnings

• The fluids in your car do not get "used up": low fluid level (except for windshield washer fluid and a small dip in brake fluid level) is an indication of a leak. If a particular fluid is low, top it off and recheck in a few days and weekly thereafter. If the fluid continues to read low, call your mechanic - you have a leak.
• Repair leaks as they occur to avoid expensive repairs later.
• Keep a small "emergency tool kit" in the trunk of your car containing all the necessary items to do this monthly check.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[Queenbof3]

on 7/18/2007 Your sentence reads: The fluids in your car do not get "used up": low fluid level (except for windshield washer fluid and a small dip in brake fluid level) is an indication of a leak. This is not true at all as almost all the fluids in a vehicle do get "used up". If you have to add a quart of oil, it does not mean that you have a lead. Same for transmission or brake fluids if someone needs to add them. I feel that this is a statement that can make the inexperienced paranoid and should be refraised.

on 8/14/2006 If you fill the radiator with coolant while the engine is turned off this can result in a vapor lock where air bubbles stop you from being able to add the correct amount. It will make you think the radiator is full, when in fact it is not. By running the engine (and therefore the water pump) while adding coolant to the radiator you will avoid this situation and can feel confident that your radiator will have the full amount of liquids for proper function.